After sitting out season, forward helps spark Lake Highland's rise to region final

When Lake Highland's boys basketball team lost a 2011 region semifinal to Jones by three points, Denzel Davis was sitting on the bench, frustrated.

A sophomore at the time, Davis didn't play one minute. He wasn't healthy enough.

"All my life, I've been playing basketball at the top level, and seeing my team go out there last year against Jones in the regions . . .,'' Davis said. "It was really tough watching our seniors get off the court.''

Davis sat out his sophomore year, his first at Lake Highland after transferring from Orlando University, while going through rehabilitation to strengthen his legs.

Davis finally got on the court at Lake Highland, and this year, he helped the Highlanders (26-3) beat Jones on Tuesday to advance to Saturday's Class 4A region final at Williston.

Davis, who is averaging 8.3 points per game and is Lake Highland's leading rebounder and shot blocker, is among several players who have filled important roles for Central Florida teams eyeing state tournament berths next week in Lakeland. They include Taylor Akers of the First Academy, Josh Howard of Edgewater and Quin Lemieux of Daytona Beach Father Lopez.

At the end of his eighth-grade year, Davis, a 6-foot-8 forward, landed hard after a layup and sustained a bone contusion in his right leg. That, combined with his body growing too quickly, tendinitis and a weak lower body, caused Davis to miss last season.

He said it took time to adjust to playing again.

"I really had to get used to the program and how we played and [the] fast pace and getting in shape," Davis said.

Said Lake Highland coach Jeff Turner: "I know it was frustrating for him last year, being injured and not being able to be a part of it. To his credit, he worked so hard during the summer and the offseason, getting strength to where he needed it to protect himself from injury. As a coach, my pride comes from seeing him make the commitment to put in the work."

Joel Berry, Lake Highland's leading scorer, said Davis devoted himself to the weight room to develop his body after a growth spurt last summer.

"He's helping us with the rebounds. He's a great passer, great scorer,'' Berry said. "He can score whenever he wants.''

Said Davis: "My main job is to be a rebounder and facilitator, just keep the offense fluid and keep an inside presence on defense."